Leer en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/p>\nMarshall Jones, a fifth-generation gladesman who runs Mack\u2019s Fish Camp in west Broward, on the edge of the Everglades, took Local 10 on an airboat on Tuesday to see alligators trudging through mud and birds normally seen later in the year, when dry spells normally happen. <\/p>\n
Areas usually covered in water are bone dry. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis particular drought is coming on earlier and with a harder, more rapid onset than I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d Jones said. <\/p>\n
According to the South Florida Water Management District, rainfall is down 50% since November, prompting a voluntary water warning in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. <\/p>\n
Residents are urged to use less water to conserve the Biscayne aquifer, South Florida\u2019s main water source.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe less you waste water, the more viable our aquifer will be,\u201d Jones said. \u201cThis entire area we\u2019re going through – the Everglades – is the aquifer recharge zone for all of South Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Everglades is also home to one of the most complex and important ecosystems. Dry conditions are shrinking the habitat and hiding places for wildlife.<\/p>\n
In the last few days, Jones said he has had to cut back on airboat tours because there are fewer places to go. It\u2019s an economic blow during what would normally be the high tourist season. <\/p>\n
Another concern is brush fires. Small fires have erupted in recent days. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a tinderbox waiting to go off,\u201d Jones said. <\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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